Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-03-03

ed. What was TO be done?
Send Corporal John to me- said
the Captain, coming to the door of his
tent.
In a few moments Corporal John APP
peared. He was a stalwart young fell
low, with an honest American face.
His soidierly bearing was that of a
veteran. Although a mere youth, he
had been trained in wars toughest
school. At the downfall of the Con-
fcderacv he had made his way across
the Rio Grandc. still wearing his faded
gray jacket, and had joined MaXimil-
ian's army.
Corporal John wore his French uni
form gracefully, but the lingo of his
comrades was too much for him, and
this made him Il little uneasy i'll the
presence of his Captain.
INV American friend said Duyal,
.'you have fought bushwhackers!'
Yes, Captain"
''And sharpshoOtersP'
''Yes, Captain"
And ~brigands?"
..Yes, Captain
.'And all sorts of devils, | doubt not.
Well, thea, Corporal john, what did
yoa do with them when you caught
them?"
Click"
The significant sound. made by a
usadiiar working Of the corporal's
auth, arrested the Frenchman's at
f]ention.
..GoodI' he CIRCULATED. You shot
thrm N the spot?'
Ky led them out into the bushes
sid he corporal, land lost them.
Ard they Were never found again.
Ch,s!'
''Vcry we'll" said Duval with n sat-
listed look. "On the principle of set
ting ii thief to catch Il thief ! propose
IT, turn lacst. a<sis-ins over to you. On
the lnarch tomorrow take a few pick
ed men and watch every suspicious
place. If YOU find any human being il
ambush with arms in his hands Shoot
him. # the case calls for investiga
ton II viii be looked into later. ON
first duty is self-preservation.'
1T hall be done" replied Corpora
John, as he retired.
IL was nearly shutdown the next day
when Corporal John and two of hi:
men plunged into Il dense and tangled
thi-k t 4 little off their line of march
Tn :orporal was sure that he had seer
sone-ling run to cover and he fount
that ? was not mistaken.
BHt this. prisoner, with his arm
around the neck of his little mustang
wa . ordinary bushwhacker. Whel
1ls TO soldiers seized him Corpora
John saw before him a boy of about IS
a handsome, spirited-looking young
st,r. il citizens dress and armed witt
By turns, the prisoner flashed his blacl
eyes s~ietiantly, and cried out:
Finland ME, senors. | will not sub
init 10 this outrage"
He spoke in Spanish. and the cor
poraI understood this language mucl
bette than he did French.
Who are you, and what are you do
I'M, h=re?" he asked s~tcrnly.
The little Mexican drew himself VI
h~au@htjly.
eft i no crime to hunt" he replied
Il am not a soldier. See, | wear NJ
uniform. Why am | treated i'll thi
ws1; Restore my rifle and my mus
tar and let me proceed on my way
j. Eas a wonderfully sweet voice ant
ithat an imperious ring in it. Corpora
John wavered 4 moment, but one o
III men spoke up:
"A cursed brigand and caught witt
arlu in. his hands in ambush. Re
member the Captains order"
II will take him down to the rive
uut tiuish him myself" said the cor
poraJ, grimly. Il can't take you tw,
FROM the road at present Keep you
eyc5 open"
There was II protest from the Others
bui the corporal siIenccd them.
- won't nave any useless noise" b
explained. .'In take him to the river
cut his throat and throw him in. Tina
will be the safest plan"
Tying the hands of the prisoner, h
led him through the thick underground
down to the muddy stream Il l,undree
yards from the road.
''Schor."
Corporal John looked down relent
lessly into the youthful face.
well" he answered gruffiv.
.'Senur, this is "a brave deed for
soldier. to murder an unarmed pris
onar."
.'You and your friends have bcel
numbering our men, replied the cor
poral, land we must get even and Sc
an example,
''Senor, let me speak. Less than
month ago a BAND of your soldier
burned our hacienda. They Stable
my father. a harmless old man, wit
their bayonets until he was dead. NJ
mother fled into the swamps. where sh
died of fright and exposure. Well,
will tell the truth. Since then N
brother and | have been with the que.
riAas. and We have done some goo
work. Do you blame me?'
various emotions were struggling 70
expression.
John Conway in~voluntarily fell bac
In amazement ut bcholdiug this uneI
pected visitor.
'Schor Conway" said Gomez, eth
visit under the circumstances is III
heard Of. Il is irregular, but yo
Americans are always prepared for tn
unexpected. | am here. sehor; to apo
logic for my conduct, and to will
NAV 10y NhstiitiEt. 4 uttplt lt2It
my offensive language, and hasten t
retractit- 1t is my purpose to inforl
the gentlemen, who knew somethin
Of the affair between us. that we hay
no quarrel, and that l regard You
n of the bravest and noblest of men.
Conway looked into the Mexican
eyes, and saw sincerity there.
'Sehor Gomez" he said, II am at
loss to understand all this"
.'Listen." exclaimed the other in
patiently. Last night at the opeI
my wife saw a face that recalled Ii
greatest peril of her life. She Studio
II through her glass and became col
WINGED that she was right. When 81
met me at our hotel, after my retur
from the cafe where we had our III
fortunate difference, she told me al
and begged me to search out her pr
server, So. Corporal John, l than
you IN the name of my wife"
Then seeing that the American W:
more mystified than ever, Gomez co
tinued;
Have you forgotten -four capture